Half a croissant, on a plate, with a sign in front of it saying '50c'
h a l f b a k e r y
We have a low common denominator: 2

idea: add, search, annotate, link, view, overview, recent, by name, random

meta: news, help, about, links, report a problem

account: browse anonymously, or get an account and write.

user:
pass:
register,


                   

Wilderness Survival Cache Business

  (+1, -2)
(+1, -2)
  [vote for,
against]

WSC Inc sets up special survival caches all over the world at the following types of locations: (a) islands; (b) mountains; (c) jungles; (north/south poles); (d) any other wilderness location where hikers and travellers may visit. These caches are large containers buried in the ground and locked by a plate.

The marketing could be along the lines of “Insurance that Could SAVE Your Life”. Customers of the company are issued special limited-time-only keys and codes by which they can unlock and use the contents of any cache in the world. They are also given hand-held displays or maps that reveal the locations of caches in their vicinity.

All caches contain emergency medical clothing, wildneress survival gear, rations/water and communication equipment. The caches are electronically linked to the company’s regional HQs, and keeps tab of its contents. Customers are only billed for what they use.

The company routinely checks and tops up caches with its army of helicoptors.

Since a cache could mean the difference between life and death, the company can charge a premium for its use, which would help fund the maintenance of the business.

baboo, May 07 2002


Please log in.
If you're not logged in, you can see what this page looks like, but you will not be able to add anything.



Annotation:







       //army of helicoptors//
Ever priced helicopters/pilots/fuel/insurance/etc.?
thumbwax, May 07 2002
  

       Polar explorers used to do just this - bury caches of food at points on their route to which they might return if they run out of supplies. Outside of the polar regions there are only two other areas where this would be *absolutely* necessary (i.e. where getting food/water is very hard, or impossible): deserts and the sea. Both are ever changing so a static dump of supplies just isn't going to work.
mcscotland, May 07 2002
  

       Add a credit card swipe to the lock for people who didn't purchase the insurance ahead of time. And include a call box so that one of those helicopters can be summoned for a hasty evacuation.   

       Desert-based caches could be built into large solar-powered robots that automatically dig their way out of the sand. At night, bright beacon lights help identify stations from a distance and guide customers to them.   

       For oceans, put the supplies on remote-controlled boats. Then use surveilance satellites to monitor the ocean surface for signs of trouble, and dispatch the nearest supply boat by computer control.
BigBrother, May 07 2002
  

       Just do it yourself. Much cheaper that way and you can choose what goes in the container. I've got some goodies hidden already at favorite adventure locations. At least I hope there all still there! Guess I should check them, I wonder if my ice cream stash is doing well in Arizona?
dag, May 08 2002
  

       Mmmmm...chocolate. Oh, sorry [dag]. Was that yours?
half, May 09 2002
  

       Wilderness Mini-Bars!
bristolz, May 09 2002
  

       //limited-time-only keys // I am not sure about the ethical implications here: Wouldn't effectively denying food and shelter to a freezing/starving person count as murder?   

       -> the limited-time access could be for the insurance (low cost) while there should always be the possibility to sell your soul/firstborn/fortune for non-insurance access.
loonquawl, Apr 23 2009
  

       Baboo failed to do his maths, and therefore get's an extra "N" on his name (for No maths).   

       Assuming that you would want supplies within 10 miles of any given spot where you're likely to need them, you would have to ask huge numbers of people to get lost in the wilderness in order to make this remotely economically viable.
MaxwellBuchanan, Apr 23 2009
  

       If you are going to deliver all these supplies by helicopter, any explorer with a satellite phone and means to pay could just have vital supplies flown directly to his location. This would be far more economical and would add the option of flying the stricken explorer away if he has a broken leg or something like that.
Bad Jim, Apr 24 2009
  


 

back: main index

business  computer  culture  fashion  food  halfbakery  home  other  product  public  science  sport  vehicle